Bayelsa Governor Orders Autopsy on Deputy Governor’s Death

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Ewhrudjakpo reportedly collapsed in his office on Thursday and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Governor Diri gave the directive on Friday at the Government House in Yenagoa while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan, who visited to commiserate with the Bayelsa State Government and the family of the late deputy governor.

The governor expressed concern over speculations surrounding Ewhrudjakpo’s death and warned against attempts to politicise the incident.

“There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media,” Diri said. “I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. This is the time to mourn and show love, not to spread speculation.”

Governor Diri announced that the state had declared three working days of mourning in honour of the late deputy governor and urged residents to observe the period with sobriety and respect. He called on individuals and groups issuing statements to focus on eulogies and tributes rather than divisive commentary.

In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan described Senator Ewhrudjakpo as humble, hardworking, and deeply committed to public service. Jonathan noted that the late deputy governor demonstrated exceptional dedication to duty, adding that his work ethic should serve as a lesson to public office holders on the importance of balancing service with rest.

“I was once a deputy governor, but he worked harder than I did,” Jonathan said. “He hardly appeared to rest. This is a reminder to all of us to take care of our health. We pray that Bayelsa State will not experience this kind of loss again, and we ask God to comfort his family and the entire state.”

Governor Diri and former President Jonathan later paid a condolence visit to the wife of the late deputy governor, Barrister Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, at their residence within the Government House, Yenagoa.